Howdy Friends! Tyrants love the misinterpretation of Roman’s 13. “We are to obey the civil government.” Tyrants love that it aids them in their tyranny. It is an invention of the evil ones.
Actually Roman’s 13:1 Clearly states the opposite: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is NO higher power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.” God’s power, not man’s power is ordained.
Nowhere does it state, we are to obey, or that civil government’s power is unlimited.
Not one verse in the Bible does it say we are to obey all civil authority.
Look at the whole of scripture.
Exodus 1:15-21 – The midwives disobeyed Pharaoh, but feared God.
Daniel 6:8-9-10 – Classic showdown of the word of God! Daniel threw open the window and prayed not once a day, but three times a day!
Hebrews 11:23 – We’re not afraid of a king!
2 Corinthians 11:32-33 – Paul wrote “I was let down in a basket.”
Acts 5:29 – “We ought to obey God rather than man”
Romans 13 contains LIMITING clauses regarding authority! . . . Romans 13: 7 “Respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” This matters, by God’s will and direction. There is limiting authority on the state, by God.
However there is No limiting authority on family and church. Remember God’s design is, Man – Family – Church – State. Churchmen love to teach the church has no authority on the state, but that teaching is wrong. The church, God’s law, is to govern the state. Not man’s tyranny. God’s law is liberty. Man’s law is tyranny.
Colossians 3:20 – No limiting clause of family duties.
Hebrews 13:7 – No limits “Remember your leaders who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
There are many examples in scripture of disobedience to government, and only one misquoted, misrepresented partial excerpt of so called “total obedience to government.” Paul was writing Prescriptively! And notice, never did he mention “Roman Government.”
The state is not to impose any law that impunes the law of God. No government is to exceed their authority. Authority given them by God. No Christian is to be bound by any government that places itself above God’s law.
As Christians we are commanded to stand true to the word of God. And hold the state accountable to it. ~ Gitty up, Dutch.
